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Thursday, July 9, 2015

Long-term plan to develop heritage cities in HK, Bombay Karnataka

The best practices in tourism promotion, heritage conservation and community-oriented development will be implemented. The picture shows the madrasa of Mahamud Gawan in Bidar.

They will be promoted as international tourist destinations

A long-term plan is being readied to develop heritage cities in Hyderabad Karnataka and Bombay Karnataka as international tourist destinations. Bidar and Basava Kalyan will be included in it.

The best practices in tourism promotion, heritage conservation and community-oriented development will be implemented.

These will be based on the principles of people’s participation and encouragment of entrepreneurship, according to a broad outline prepared by government departments, a senior official told The Hindu .

A series of projects are being planned by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (KUIDFC), the departments of Tourism, Archaeology and Heritage, and Kannada and Culture, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, and other agencies.

Coordinated efforts will be made to promote tourism in Hyderabad Karnataka and Bombay Karnataka, in partnership with institutions such as Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN) and Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF).

While the KUIDFC will be the anchor agency for infrastructure projects, the Department of Tourism will oversee other projects.

The IHCN and the DHF are partnering with the district administration in these efforts.

While the IHCN will take up projects such as heritage walk, revival of old markets, cleaning of ‘karez’, landscaping and preparation of a master plan for the promotion of Basava Kalyan; DHF will take up activities such as creating awareness about the heritage value of cities in the Deccan, landscaping of gardens, conservation of ground and surface water bodies, promotion of Bidri art, restoration of frescos and tiles, historic maps, and book publishing. However, DHF’s priority will be solid waste management.

“We are seeking funds from the Union and State governments and charitable institutions. We will bring in skilled consultants from professional agencies and build systems and processes to ensure that the work goes on uninterrupted. All projects will be implemented using local man power and locally available skill sets and resources will be utilised to the maximum extent,” Anurag Tewari, Deputy Commissioner, told The Hindu . Bidar, along with Kalaburgi and Vijaypura, is already on the tentative list of UNICEF world heritage sites. The process of getting the UNICEF tag would be speeded up, he said.

A team of consultants led by Kishor Raikar, director, IHCN, held a meeting with Mr. Tewari and other district administration officials in Bidar on Tuesday. Priority projects would be drinking water supply and waste management, he added.